This edited collection of contributions from media scholars, film practitioners and film historians connects the vibrant fields of documentary and disability studies.

This edited collection is the first major study to explore the intersection between cognitive theory and documentary film studies in light of the latest discoveries in the affective and cognitive sciences.

This book studies how documentaries, and factual media in general, can contribute to the reduction of social stigma and prejudice. It adopts models from social psychology, media studies and cultural studies and is intended for scholars and media makers who aim to increase social inclusion and diversity by deconstructing harmful boundaries between social groups. Such boundaries may be based on the stereotyping of ethnicity, culture, age, dis/ability, gender and sexual orientation, for example. The first part of the book outlines the functionality of stereotypes as essential processes for...